17 April 2004, 15:12
International Helsinki Federation reports on numerous violations of human rights in Armenia
Armenian authorities have broadly violated basic international civil and political human rights norms in their efforts to thwart protests against the government and the president, according to reports by Armenian human rights organizations and media. These oppressive policies are at variance with Armenia's obligations as a participating State of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and as a member of the Council of Europe, and call into question the government's commitment to the political values of these bodies. On the practical level, they sow seeds of further and more demonstrative political confrontations, and regional instability.
In its report, the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) has summarized the evidence of violations of freedom of assembly, of freedom of movement, of freedom of the media, and of the persecution of political dissenters that have occurred in Armenia.
"The organization calls upon the Armenian presidential administration to reassess its approach to political dissent, and to support a full, independent investigation of recent state actions, in cooperation with experts from the OSCE and Council of Europe, and independent civil society monitors. The IHF offers its own assistance and cooperation in this process," reads the report.
Source: International Helsinki Federation
